Abstract: An absorbing tower is provided in its side wall with a gas entrance for introducing a combustion exhaust gas into the absorbing tower, and an absorbing liquid is sprayed from the nozzles of a spray header into the exhaust gas introduced to rise from the gas entrance. A trough is arranged in the side wall of the absorbing tower and above the gas entrance, and a nose having a horseshoe shape in a top plan view and extending into tower is disposed in the tower side wall portion of the gas entrance other than the portion arranging the trough and at the same or at substantially the same height as the portion of the trough. The absorbing liquid, which is sprayed from the nozzle and drops along the absorbing tower wall portion, is rescattered to the center portion of the absorbing tower excepting the entrance of the absorbing tower, so that the gas-liquid contact efficiency is improved while suppressing an increase in pressure loss, thereby to prevent the drift of the gas at the tower wall portion.

Abstract: A small amount of oxygen is ion-implanted in a wafer surface layer, and then heat treatment is performed so as to form an incomplete implanted oxide film in the surface layer. Thereby, wafer cost is reduced; a pit is prevented from forming in a surface of an epitaxial film; and a slip is prevented from forming in an external peripheral portion of a wafer.

Abstract: A high-purity vitreous silica crucible used for pulling a large-diameter single-crystal silicon ingot, includes a double layered structure constituted by an outer layer composed of high-purity amorphous vitreous silica with a bubble content of 1 to 10% and a purity of 99.99% or higher, and an inner layer composed of high-purity amorphous vitreous silica s with a bubble content of 0.6% or less and a purity of 99.99% or higher, wherein, at least for an inner surface of the vitreous silica crucible between ingot-pulling start line and ingot-pulling end line of a silicon melt surface, a longitudinal section of the inner surface is shaped into a waveform, and depth and width of the ring grooves constituting the multi ring-groove patterned face are set in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm and 10 to 100 mm, respectively.

Abstract: A method of making a drawing on a chocolate by causing a pulsed laser to irradiate the surface of a solid chocolate under limited operation conditions, and a chocolate manufactured by said method are provided. The irradiation energy per pulse and the irradiation energy per sweeping unit line length of the pulsed laser are limited to a certain range. The trace of the laser irradiation remains circular or arc-shaped on the surface of the chocolate manufactured under the above conditions. Further, the method makes a drawing on the surface of the chocolate, using the phenomenon that chocolate changes color when being irradiated by a pulsed laser under the above operation conditions.

Abstract: A voice communication apparatus includes a communication portion that receives a plurality of frames including at least a first frame having first voice data and a second frame having second voice data subsequent to the first frame, the first voice data and the second voice data being encoded by a predetermined encoding system, a decoding portion that decodes the first voice data and the second voice data received by the communication portion, a buffer that retains the first voice data and the second voice data decoded by the decoding portion, a calculation portion that calculates an amplitude envelope based on the first voice data decoded by the decoding portion, and a controlling portion that judges whether or not the second voice data decoded by the decoding portion exceeds the amplitude envelope and corrects the second voice data that exceeds the amplitude envelope.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group, in this order from the object. Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, all of the first through fourth lens groups move along the optical axis. The zoom lens system satisfies the following condition: 3<T1/F2<4 . . . (1) wherein T1 designates the traveling distance of the first lens group upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity; and F2 designates the focal length of the second lens group.

Abstract: A method for generating a transmission signal to transmit a modulated signal generated using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, from a transmitting apparatus with a plurality of antennas, toward a plurality of terminals. The method includes assigning transmission data for the plurality of terminals to a plurality of carrier groups, each carrier group including a plurality of carriers and selecting, from the plurality of antennas, an antenna to be used for transmission toward each of the plurality of terminals. As a transmission mode for each of the plurality of carrier groups, a selection is made of one of a first transmission mode, in which one modulated signal is transmitted, and a second transmission mode in which a plurality of modulated signals are transmitted by using the selected antennas. A transmission signal is generated for transmitting the transmission data assigned to the plurality of carrier groups during an identical time period, using the selected transmission mode.

Abstract: A ligation clip applicator design is provided that is particularly applicable to placement of a surgical ligation clip during a laparoscopic surgical procedure. The applicator has a magazine including first and second longitudinally extending partially closed channels within which enlarged portions of a ligation clip are received and held in an open position. First and second substantially parallel compression members are attached to the magazine and have first and second channel extensions therein aligned with the first and second channels of the magazine for receiving the first and second enlarged portions of the clip. The channel extensions include first and second releasing openings. The compression members close about a vessel, remaining substantially parallel as they close. The clip is pushed forward into the compression members to a position where the enlarged portions of the clip are aligned with the releasing openings, permitting the clip to be released to close and ligate the vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an interlock apparatus for a move-out type circuit breaker, capable of automatically discharging elastic energy charged in a closing spring and a trip spring when a main body of the circuit breaker is moved-in or moved-out, the apparatus including, a releasing protrusion member fixed to a predetermined position on a path that the circuit breaker is moved-in or moved-out and protruded upwardly from the predetermined position, an automatic releasing mechanism configured to be moved up by coming in contact with the releasing protrusion member upon moved-in or moved-out the circuit breaker to thereby drive a latching mechanism for latching the closing spring and the trip spring in a charged state to the release position.

Abstract: Device for producing and/or processing panels includes a panel transport device utilizing two double-belt conveyors for transporting panels along a transport path. A processing device is used for processing the panels during their transporting by the panel transport device. Each of the two double-belt conveyors includes an upper endless belt and a lower endless belt having transport strand sides essentially parallel to the transport path and deflection devices arranged to at the ends of the transport strand sides. A plurality of guide rollers are arranged between the deflection devices of at least one of the endless belts to support the transport strand side of the at least one endless belt. At least one roller cassette is arranged to support several of the plurality of guide rollers.

Abstract: A stabilized bran component and a stabilized whole grain flour containing the component are produced by subjecting a bran-enriched coarse fraction which contains bran, germ and starch to grinding or milling to reduce grittiness of the coarse fraction without substantially damaging the starch due to abrasion. The coarse fraction may be stabilized by heating to substantially reduce the lipase and lipoxygenase activity of the coarse fraction without substantial gelatinization of the starch. High levels of natural antioxidants and vitamins are retained while avoiding substantial acrylamide formation during the stabilization. The stabilized coarse fraction or stabilized bran component may be combined with a fine fraction which contains predominantly endosperm to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour. The stabilized whole grain flours and the stabilized bran component exhibit extended shelf life and may be used for making baked goods, such as cookies, with desirable oven spread, and a non-gritty mouthfeel.

Abstract: A ski including a structural unit, gliding structure, as well as a decorative and protective structure. The structural unit includes at least one lower reinforcement, at least one upper reinforcement, and an intermediate structure, or core, positioned between the upper reinforcement and the lower reinforcement. The ski has a longitudinally extending cambered shape such that, when the gliding structure is positioned on a flat surface, the ski rests on a shovel contact point and a tail contact point. The ski further includes a tension structure that exerts a tension force between a first anchoring, positioned longitudinally beyond the shovel contact zone, and a second anchoring, positioned on rearward of the shovel contact zone. The tension structure is positioned for most of its length beneath the decorative and protective structure, such tension structure being positioned for most of its length above the neutral axis of the ski, such as above the upper reinforcement.

Abstract: An endoscope light source unit for making illumination light incident on a light guide, includes a rotary aperture plate, aperture openings of different opening ratios and an auxiliary-light aperture opening of a maximum opening ratio formed in the rotary aperture plate; a rotating device; an auxiliary light; a first sensing portion and a plurality of second sensing portions formed in the rotary aperture plate in association with the auxiliary-light aperture opening and the aperture openings; a first sensor which detects the first sensing portion; a second sensor which detects the first sensing portion and detects the second sensing portions; and a controller which controls the rotary aperture plate in accordance with the first and/or second sensors. When the auxiliary light is in the retracted position, the controller drives the rotary aperture plate while the second sensor detects the first sensing portion.

Abstract: A method for monitoring edits to a template for responding to an incoming communication includes categorizing the incoming communication into a category associated with the template for a response to the incoming communication. The method also includes determining distances between the template and each of a set of responses based on the template, at a predetermined level of granularity. The method also includes coding the template in accordance with the determined distances and displaying the coded template. A method for extracting a new template based on responses to an existing template includes selecting factors that affect quantitative measures for preparing a response to the incoming communication. The method includes using a mathematical model of the factors to cluster a set of responses created based on the existing template into two clusters. The method further includes restricting a first cluster centroid to be the existing template and searching for a second cluster centroid for a second cluster.

Abstract: Power consumption required for making a nonvolatile storage device having a radio communication function operate as a file server for a radio host device is great for a host device which supplies the power. The present invention enables a user to operate a host device to which the nonvolatile storage device having the radio communication function is attached so as to activate and inactivate the radio communication function of the nonvolatile storage device. This reduces unnecessary power consumption by the radio communication function.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus for image stabilizing comprises a movable unit and a controller. The movable unit is movable for an anti-shake operation. The controller stops the anti-shake operation after an exposure time and moves the movable unit to a first position after the anti-shake operation. The first position is a position of the movable unit before the exposure time and before the anti-shake operation. The controller moves the movable unit at a decelerated, low rate of speed before finishing its movement to the first position.

Abstract: A 3D video processor that outputs a left-eye image and a right-eye image to be superimposed on main video includes: a left-eye object processing unit that outputs the left-eye image; a right-eye object processing unit that outputs the right-eye image; and an image output control unit that controls the left-eye object processing unit and the right-eye object processing unit so that the left-eye image and the right-eye image are synchronously outputted. The left-eye object processing unit determines whether or not image output preparation of the left-eye image is completed. The right-eye object processing unit determines whether or not image output preparation of the right-eye image is completed. The image output control unit instructs to skip the output of both the left-eye image and the right-eye image, when the image output preparation of one of the left-eye image and the right-eye image is not completed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for quantifying a peptide compound having a phenylalanine residue at the N-terminal, comprising measuring the content of heat generated by mixing 1) a peptide compound having a phenylalanine residue at the N-terminal, 2) cucurbit[7]uril, and 3) a metal ion in a solution.

Abstract: A metal halide lamp capable of delaying the rate of deformation in an electrostrictive phenomenon caused by the discharge of a ferroelectric ceramic capacitor when dielectric breakdown is initiated between the electrodes of an arc tube thereby preventing breakage accident, wherein a starting circuit, housed in parallel connection together with an arc tube in an outer tube of a metal halide lamp has in serial connection, a ferroelectric ceramic capacitor that is charged and discharged when a voltage at a predetermined coercive voltage or higher is applied thereby outputting a starting pulse at a high voltage from a ballast, a semiconductor switch that turns to a conduction state when a voltage of a predetermined breakover voltage or higher is applied, and a time constant control resistor that delays the discharge time of electric charges discharged from the capacitor when dielectric breakdown is initiated in the arc tube.

Abstract: A second spiral spring is smaller than a first spiral spring and is housed in an open space in the center of the first spiral spring. A folded portion that is formed in an inner end of the first spiral spring and a folded portion that is formed in an outer end of the second spiral spring are hooked in a latch plate, under tension, that is cut and raised from a side. A receiving space is formed between the latch plate and an initial winding portion that starts winding in a curved shape from the inner end of the first spiral spring so as to house a tip of the folded portion of the outer end of the second spiral spring that is hooked in the latch plate.